In March of 2009, “The Strand: A Beach Musical” written and directed by Redondo Beach locals, about Redondo Beach, made its debut at Saint Andrew’s Fellowship Theater.
Now, two years later, writers and directors John and Susan Brown are bringing it back. John, an award winning local singer/songwriter, wrote the music for the show and will play the music with his band of Los Angeles musicians during the production. His wife, Susan, wrote the script.
The couple, along with nonprofit arts organization Fantasia Family Music, has worked for months preparing for the show’s second run.
The musical tells the story of how surfing first came to Redondo Beach in the early 1900s. There’s something for everyone, be it music, history, romance, or baby sea turtles.
Those who will be seeing the show for the second time might notice some changes that have been made since the initial run. “When we originally made the play we didn’t want to say we knew what a perfect musical is,” said John.
As part of the process of trying to improve the show, they submitted it to the 2010 Disney’s ASCAP Musical Theater Workshop in Los Angeles. Although not selected for the workshop, the Browns were allowed to audit the course. During the 15-hour workshop, taught by Stephen Schwartz, they learned techniques for improving their script, music, and the show as a whole.
This time around John collaborated with surf guitarist Paul Johnson, and Jeff Foskett of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, to write new music for the show. “Three new songs were added and replaced songs that were in there before,” said Susan.
In addition, the new version of the show will feature an older cast. Instead of elementary and middle school-aged kids, this production will now be played by high school and college students. “It’s so different when you’re not working with children,” said Susan. “You can raise your expectation levels and be a little bit harder on them.”
Susan tweaked the script in order to accommodate the older cast and make the story more believable. “With the writing of it we changed some things to develop the characters a little more,” she explained.
Apart from revamping the show itself, the upcoming production will also feature better lighting, sound, and an actual stage, something they didn’t have access to during the previous run. “Through a connection that my son has we’ve been sponsored by a company called Production Resource Group,” said Susan.
“Everything is upped to another level,” said John.
When it opened, “The Strand” received much praise from the surrounding community. “People were really surprised to have something that was original,” said John. In writing their own musical the Browns wanted to distinguish themselves from other theater companies in the area, which put on performances of shows from Broadway and other professional theater venues. “The community has reacted well to it, they want to own it,” said John. “I think that people see that it’s very much a local thing, something from within the community.”
“We are very much a community theater in that sense,” he said.
John and Susan hope that they will receive a similar reaction from the community this time around. “One of our dreams was to make it an annual play, so that it could be marketed to the tourism that comes to this area,” said John. They hope their musical would teach outsiders about Redondo Beach history and culture.
However, with such great community support, a new script and music, and an amped up production value, the couple has no reason to worry. “I think,” said Susan, “they’re going to love it.”
See article from our 2009 archives about The Strand
The Strand: A Beach Musical plays tonight (Thursday) through Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., R.B. Tickets, $18 general; $12 students; available at Brownpapertickets.com, or you can call (310) 792-1122 and check out FantasiaFamilyMusic.org. ER
